MEB Playlist: Soundtrack To My Freezing

Welcome to MEB Playlists, a new feature where we will showcase some of our favorite tracks. We’ll have everything from themed playlists to musician’s choices, so press play and read along!

With this playlist, I decided to go with a theme. As I endure my first winter outside of Texas, I’ve been spending most of my time on my couch wrapped in three blankets and two hoodies, eating Flamin’ Hot Cheetos because my brain can’t comprehend what’s happening and thinks it will help. So I’ve made a playlist of songs that embody the feel of a cold winter. This has been the soundtrack of my slow but sure transformation into a popsicle.

Streetlights – Kanye West

808s & Heartbreak is my quintessential winter album and this track represents every reason why. Its pulsating ebbs and flows perfectly embody the moody darkness of the record.

Good Morning Fire Eater – Copeland

Aaron Marsh’s vocal performance carries this song, but the driving drum beat really makes it special. The overall aura of You Are My Sunshine makes it not only my favorite record by the band, but a perfect cold weather record.

Cope – Manchester Orchestra

I enjoyed Cope enough, but when Hope was released, it essentially killed off that record. The reimagined version of “Cope” is so dark and haunting and really lets the song breathe with all the echo-filled space.

Elephant In The Dock – mewithoutYou

I hadn’t given the latest mewithoutYou record too much of my time when it was released, but upon seeing them live for the first time, I was blown away by this song. It has a slow burn that creates such a tension that crescendos in an incredibly cathartic refrain.

First Reactions After Falling Through The Ice – La Dispute

This has been my biggest fear here in the winter. I don’t live anywhere near a body of water, but my tenuous knowledge of what black ice is has terrified me.

Hum – Tigers Jaw

It was quite a jump for Tigers Jaw to go from pop punk to a more indie-leaning sound, but this song is all the proof you need that it was the right decision.

In Exile – Thrice

Somewhat of a strange choice, but this is one of my top five Thrice songs. The odd juxtaposition of the drum beat and guitar riff makes it all the more interesting. Also, I am basically in exile here. How anybody survives north of here is beyond me.

A Gun In The First Act – Thursday

This comes from another essential winter album for me. The swirling atmospheric guitars and layer upon layer of vocals and noise make it far and away the best thing that Thursday has done.

Noro – Brand New

I can’t write any sort of piece without including a mention of Brand New. I physically can’t. Doctors have no explanation. It’s a blessing and a curse.

K HORSE – Head Automatica

95% of everything else that this band has done is more suited for the summer, but this song goes completely in the opposite direction. It’s growling bass and galloping drums give it an edge that is lacking on most Head Automatica tracks.

Bedside Manor – You Blew It!

You Blew It! is one of the best bands in the ever-growing #emorevival sea, and while their Jade Tree release hasn’t been out long, it is far and away the best thing they have done.

Pelican Fly – Dikembe

There’s something about the lazy floating of Steven Gray’s vocals across the repetitive that makes this song stand out.

To The Janitor, To The King – The World Is A Beautiful Place…

Despite being a very stripped down version of The World Is, especially considering their love for chaotic noise collages, this non-album track still retains that haunting feel that the band does so well.

Rumor-Acoustic Remix – I LOVE MAKONNEN

ILOVEMAKONNEN is bizzare, and I love it. The music world needs more ILOVEMAKONNEN and less Big Sean. Oh gawd.

Comfort Inn Ending (Freestyle) – Jhene Aiko

Armed with one of the best voices around, Jhene Aiko comes through with a strange, brooding track that is filled with a near stream-of-conscience delivery, and it’s absolutely engrossing.

For Sure – American Football

My membership as an emo elitist would have been revoked if I didn’t include an American Football song. So here we are.

Atlanta Zoo (feat. Ludacris) – Gucci Mane

Burrrr.

Dear Father – Defeater

Defeater is great in everything that they do, but this is their peak in my eyes. The bouncy chorus is this style of hardcore at its very best.

Patriot – Hostage Calm

The abrupt end of Hostage Calm has been a tough one to cope with. This winter has been my mourning period. Rest in peace.

Move That Dope – Future, Pusha T, Pharrell, Casino

I haven’t even turned on my heat all winter. I just put Pharrell’s verse on repeat and the heat it produces is enough to keep me warm for months. [Insert infinite fire emojis].